Today's Top Beer Stories

2008 May Beer Festival - Complete List of North America's Beer Festivals

Online Rare-Beer Auction Supports FredFest 2008(May 7) - BeerAdvocate -  Beer aficionados across the nation will be reaching for their wallets this weekend when rare beers and vertical collections will be highlighted at the first-ever FredFest Online Beer Auction.  Complete Story
 
Global warming hitting hops hard(May 7) - In a Nature news article this week, Nature staff writer Rex Dalton reports on how the warming climate in Northern Europe is adversely affecting the hop crop. According to Peter Darby, a hop grower in the UK, the warm springs and mild winters have caused the hop vines to sprout early, stagnate, and produce little.  Complete Story
 
Blue Ribbon Beer Can Casket(May 6) - ABC News - A man in Chicago says he wants to be prepared when its his time to go so he's ordered a beer can casket. Check out today's Netcast to see video of the casket that has been painted to look like a Pabst Blue Ribbon beer can. Complete Story
 
What's on Tap: Linden Street Brewery (May 6) - California - WHEN I VISIT the Trappist, the new Belgian beer pub in downtown Oakland — a place famous, of course, for Belgian ales — I often order a lager. No kidding. The beer is Linden Street Common Lager HHH from Linden Street Brewery, the first new brewery in Oakland since Pacific Coast Brewing Co. opened in 1988.  Complete Story

Obama woos blue collar voters with beer taste(May 6) - North Carolina - After weeks of looking defensive and depressed, Barack Obama may have found the answer to his troubles in a place familiar to millions of Americans: the pub. Complete Story

Flying Dog Brewery Releases Kerberos Tripel and Canis Major Mixed Pack(May 6) - Maryland - Head Brewer, Matt Brophy said, “Extensive pilot system brewing allowed us to experiment with a variety of recipes and yeast strains. We ended up with a strong Belgian Ale that starts off sweet up front, fruity in the middle and has a really nice dry finish.”  Complete Story

High Falls Brewery CEO wants your business(May 5) - New York - "You've got a product that's as good if not better why not give that a shot why not keep things local and the economy going," said CEO Norm Snyder.  Complete Story
 
Beer-licious! Deschutes' new brew pub open(May 3) - Oregon - The new Deschutes Brewery Pub in the Pearl District opens for regular business tomorrow, after splashy invite-only parties over the weekend broke in the sprawling, open space.   Complete Story
 
2008 Brewers Association World Beer Cup Winners(April) -  Complete List of Winners
 
Covey's brew master perfects his beer(April 28) - Texas - A red and white sticker discreetly placed on a steel boiling pot reads “Support your local brewer,” and that is exactly what Jamie Fulton, owner and brew master of The Covey Restaurant & Brewery, wants.  Complete Story

Beer buds to open Roy-Pitz Brewing(April 28) - Pennsylvania - In a matter of weeks, suds connoisseurs will be able to ask their favorite barkeep to pull the handle on a pair of new brews - Lovitz Watermelon Lager and White Horse Hefeweizen - produced by the Roy-Pitz Brewing Co. Complete Story

Microbrew Montana: Lang Creek Brewing(April 25) - Montana - The owners left a clue right on the top of their website by advertising themselves as "America's most remote brewery."  Complete Story

Alaskan Brewing gets recognized(April 25) - Juneau - Outside Magazine has named Alaskan Brewing Company as one of America's best places to work. The craft brewery in Juneau was honored for employee benefits and environmental stewardship, and ranked fifth in the medium companies group.  Complete Story

Brewers Association 2008 Achievement Award Winners(April) - Colorado - Three predominant members of the brewing community were recognized with awards for their dedication and service to the industry at the opening session of the Brewers Association's annual Craft Brewers Conference. Complete Story

"Legal Weed" bottle caps plucked as regulators frown on beer name(April 24) - Colorado - Vaune Dillmann thought the wording on his bottle caps was just a clever play on the name of the northern California town where he brews his beer. Complete Story

Germans Toast the Anniversary of Their Beer Purity Law(April 24) - Germany - The German 'Reinheitsgebot,' or beer purity law, started 492 years ago. Germans find reason to celebrate the drink even the mild-mannered Benjamin Franklin once called "proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."  Complete Story

99 bottles of beer on the wall, 99 ways to serve them(April 24) - Illinois - From goblets to pints, a wide range of glasses exists to hold your beer of choice. Some people say it heightens the taste and intensifies the drinking experience, while others say a good beer is a good beer no matter what glass you use.  Complete Story

Unique Flavor, Refreshing Qualities Prove Golden for Hoegaarden at 2008 World Beer Cup(April 24) - Colorado - Hoegaarden, the Original Belgian White Beer, was awarded its fourth consecutive World Beer Cup Gold Medal in the Belgian-Style White (or Wit)/Belgian-Style Wheat category at the 2008 Brewers Association World Beer Cup competition held recently in San Diego, Calif.  Complete Story

Queen’s Head Pub Plays Host to Beer Education(April 23) - Boston - Continuing its series of “Beer School” events, the Cambridge Queen’s Head Pub hosted Boston Beer Company founder C. James Koch ’71 yesterday evening.   Complete Story

Blue Moon Brewing Company Named Champion Brewery(April 23) - Colorado - The Blue Moon Brewing Company took home multiple awards at this year's World Beer Cup held in San Diego, including the prestigious Champion Brewery, Large Brewing Company category.  Complete Story

Anheuser-Busch earns fall as cost of beer ingredients rises(April 23) - St. Louis - Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc., the nation's biggest brewer, said Wednesday its profit slipped 1.4 percent in the first quarter as higher costs for beer ingredients more than offset rising revenue.  Complete Story

Amnesia Baltic Porter from the Grumpy Troll(April 23) - Wisconsin - This batch of the beer is aged six months. Duckow says his first attempt at brewing the style was four years ago while living in Houston, where he teamed up with the local homebrew club called the Foam Rangers. Complete Story

Homebrewing 101: UNH senior's mad scientist beer guide(April 23) - New Hampshire - First, a disclaimer: I am in no way a brewmaster with years of experience, or a resource who knows where to pluck the freshest hops from some secret location in the depths of Germany.  Complete Story

Molson becomes official beer of Winter Olympics(April 22) - Canada - Molson has scooped the deal to become the official seller of suds at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. Complete Story

Outside Magazine Names New Belgium Brewing "Best Place To Work In America"(April 17) - Colorado - New Belgium Brewing, makers of Fat Tire Amber Ale, is the best place to work in America on Outside magazine's inaugural "Best Places to Work" list. New Belgium Brewing is ranked number one among companies with 250 or more employees.   Complete Story

Fearless Brewing Company Expands Production(April 17) - Oregon - Fearless Brewing Company has more than quadrupled brewing capacity," said owner/brewer Ken Johnson, and has negotiated a distributing partnership with General Distributors.  Complete Story

Bavarian beer brewing excellence(April 17) - Germany - Yes, beer can work this miracle. This golden liquid has, for centuries, been an integral part of German society and culture with around 1,300 breweries in the country, more than in any other except the United States (which has 1,500). Complete Story

Coors Cans Guided Brewery Tours(April 17) - Colorado - For decades, the trip to Golden — and the three free beers that follow the tour — has been a rite of passage for brand-new 21-year-olds, as well as a must-stop for any non-teetotaling tourist. But Coors, now called Molson Coors, has tinkered with the program, replacing its 45-minute, human-guided tours with a shorter, self-guided trip.  Complete Story

Cambridge Brewing Company to Celebrate Nineteenth Anniversary(April 17) - Massachuetts - Company will kick off their Nineteenth Anniversary Party. Keeping with tradition the event will feature nineteen beers on tap and nineteen dinner specials, one for each year of business. Many of the favorite and now famous CBC beers will be featured including Red God IPA, Bannatyne's Scotch Ale and Tripel Threat, among others.   Complete Story

Craft-brew set now has option to can their beer(April 16) - Texas - But some people want their beer - even beer in a can - to do more than just hit the 4 percent alcohol minimum. For them, there's Dale's Pale Ale, the as-of-yet little-known canned brew out of Lyon, Colo. Complete Story

Yes, Even Ice Cream Goes Well With Beer(April 16) - California - On a beautiful day like this, what do you find most refreshing? For me there are two things. The first is a delicious, cold, bubbly, revitalizing beer. The second is a few scoops of frozen, luscious, uplifting ice cream. But what if you could combine the two? Actually you can.  Complete Story

Brewers Association Releases Top 50 Breweries List(April) - Colorado - The Brewers Association, which tabulates industry growth data, announced its annual list of the top fifty brewing companies. Released are both a Top 50 Craft Brewing Companies1 list and a list of the Top 50 Overall Brewing Companies. Statistics are based on sales in 2007.  Complete Story

A beer and a smoke keep 101yr old marathoner running(April 14) - UK - At 101, Britain's oldest employee Buster Martin is now the world's oldest marathon runner also.  The former army physical-training instructor, who is also a star with a pop group called 'The Zimmers', participated in the 26.2-mile London marathon on Sunday. Complete Story

Beer pong tourney sweeps New York(April 14) - NY - People over a certain age might think ping-pong balls have one use. Think again, Grandpa.Last Saturday, the first leg of a 17-stop beer pong tour extravaganza was held at Porky's Bar in Chelsea. The bouncer at the bar described Porky's as a place where "a lot of people get ripped."  Complete Story
 
Cape Cod Beer spreads cheer(April 12) - Massachuetts -  Many will remember 2008 as a year of cutting back. Cape Cod Beer president and brewmaster Todd Marcus will recall it as the year he more than doubled his company’s manufacturing capacity and expanded its distribution from Plymouth to Provincetown.  Complete Story

A Trip to the Blue Mountain Brewery and Hop Farm(April 12) - Virginia - Located on Critzers Shop Road in Afton, right across the Nelson County border and a mere twenty-minute drive from Charlottesville, Blue Mountain Brewery’s restaurant and tasting room looks like a cross between a Bavarian brew house and an antebellum plantation.  Complete Story

Colorado Evolves as Beer Lover's Paradise(April 10) - Time - The best place for brewery-touring is Denver, partly because of its water, partly because it's the home of Coors and partly because skier, mountain-biker and hiker dudes love them some beer.  Complete Story
 
Labatt adds Buffalo to beer label(April 10) - Time - Labatt USA has added Buffalo to its label to reflect the beer company's move to the city last June. All products Labatt sells in the United States will now be labeled "imported by Labatt USA Buffalo, NY."  Complete Story

South Carolina entrepreneur's specialty beer business booming, thanks to change in law(April 10) - South Carolina - Last spring, with a leased delivery truck and a hand-me-down keg cooler, LeVine founded Carolina Craft Distributing, a wholesaler of craft, micro-brewed and international beers, in a small warehouse on the northwest side of Rock Hill.  Complete Story

Spartan Warrior Imperial Stout released(April 9) - Alaska -  The Snow Goose Restaurant and Sleeping Lady Brewing Company’s Spartan Warrior Imperial Stout was released to honor the fallen soldiers of the Army’s 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division (4/25) soldiers at Ft. Richardson.   Complete Story

"Beer of the Week:" Bear Republic's "Hop Rod Rye" Ale(April 9) - Chicago - But we did manage to pick up a couple of brewed gems on our recent visit. This week's selection comes from Bear Republic Brewery, which was featured here last autumn with their Racer 5 IPA.  Complete Story

Stella and Carlsberg clash over ‘UK’s best beer’ claims (April 9) - UK -  A row has erupted between rivals Carlsberg and Stella Artois over claims that Carlsberg has taken over the Belgian beer as Britain’s best selling lager for the first time in almost two decades.  Complete Story

Belgian fruit beer a sweet reunion(April 9) - Wisconsin - When I’m in the mood for an excellent fruit beer, I eagerly search the local stores for Lindemans fruit ales. Complete Story

"At Last: Craft Beer. Done Lite."(April 9) - Beer Advocate - Or so says the website for the new line of light "craft beers" from Miller Brewing Co., the Miller Lite Brewers Collection (MLBC), in the most recent attempt by a large brewer to capture some of the success of small American craft brewers.   Complete Story

Hops demand hops; Bend beer brewers scramble(April 8) - Oregon - In 1992, too many farmers were growing too much of it, in turn, flooding the market. For 15 years, hops retailers have been selling off the surplus, now it's all gone. Complete Story

Schlitz Returns to Chicago Beer Market(April 7) - Illinois - Pabst Brewing Company looks to be marketing nostalgia as it reintroduces Schlitz beer in Chicago this week. The beer was once a top-selling beer brand. But the Woodridge, Illinois-based company changed the brew's formula in the 1970s and sales dipped. Complete Story

'He Said Beer, She Said Wine'(April 7) - Boston - Beer and wine drinkers can co-exist peacefully tonight at Marnie Old's reading at the Back Bay Borders. Her book, co-authored by brew maven Sam Calagione, "He Said Beer, She Said Wine," is all about pairing wine and beer with different foods.  Complete Story

Magic Hat's craft-beer wave(April 2) - Vermont -  South Burlington's Magic Hat Brewery knows a little something about that sort of growth. Since it started turning water, barley, hops and yeast into beer in 1994, Magic Hat has outgrown two facilities.  Complete Story

Yeast goes wild in Oval Trappist ale(April 1) - Canada -  Without a clumsy duchess, one of the world's great beers might never have been born. Thanks to an overzealous cleaning crew, it was almost killed.  Complete Story

Brewing Trouble: How to Drink Beer and Save the World(April 1) - Fermenting Revolution: How To Drink Beer and Save the World by Christopher O'Brien is a book about how the people can take back the brew and join together in saying, "If I can't drink good beer, it's not my revolution." Complete Story

Beer of the Week - Rogue Brutal Bitter(April 1) - Canada -  While they’ve never had a beer available here on a year-round basis, Oregon’s Rogue Ales have become of the most popular American craft breweries in Ontario thanks to the frequent appearances of their beers as part of the LCBO’s seasonal beer promotions.  Complete Story

Drink Up: Laughing Buddha Pandan Brown Ale(March 31) - Seattle - The Pandan Brown Ale -- from Seattle's new Laughing Buddha Brewing -- is breaking new ground for pairing beer with Asian food. This ale is brewed with three types of malt, plus palm sugar and pandan leaves, which are two common ingredients used in Asian cuisine. Complete Story

Pub offers free beer for Earth Hour(March 30) - Australia - The Criterion Hotel in the north-central Victorian town of Tatura will be hosting a pyjama party, with a free beer on offer for those who bring a black balloon along – a symbol of an individual's carbon footprint.  Complete Story

Point Brewery expands distribution, unveils "Nude Beach"(March 30) - Wisconsin - Last year, the Stevens Point Brewery celebrated 150 years of beer making in Wisconsin, but it was only six years ago that the brewery returned to local control. Joe Martino and Jim Wiechmann, both of who live in Milwaukee and commute to Stevens Point, purchased the brewery from the Chicago-based Barton Beer in 2002.  Complete Story

Alabama beer fans wage battle of Bible Belt in effort to keep brewing(March 29) - Two dozen guys are crowded into a basement, talking loudly over Triscuits, when Scott Oberman breaks the law. In defiance of Alabama Criminal Code 28-4-20, he pours his buddy a beer. Complete Story

Man 'chose beer over dying girlfriend'(March 28) - Australia - A MAN attacked his girlfriend and then refused to go to hospital to see her before she died because he had not finished his beer, a Sydney judge has been told.  Complete Story

Chicagoist's "Beer of the Week:" Moylan's Hopsickle Imperial Ale(March 28) - Illinois - Sometimes, in our constant tasting of beer, we come across some that make the mouth pucker as though we just sucked on a sour lemon. Then there are the beers that make us pucker because of all the hoppy goodness it contains. Complete Story

United Breweries Chairman Wants Back Heineken's Stake(March 28) - Forbes - Indian liquor magnate Vijay Mallya is reported to be eager to buy back the 37.5% stake in his United Breweries soon to be held by Heineken, reasoning that the Dutch brewer's interest in Tiger Beer may pose a challenge to United Breweries' Kingfisher Beer in India.  Complete Story

New York Beer Makers Want More Respect from Albany(March 28) - With the cut of a ribbon, Rohrbach Brewing Company officially opened its new manufacturing facility Thursday at Rochester's Public Market.It's a sign of the success of small breweries in New York state.  Complete Story

Bamboozleator Doppelbock from Ale Asylum(March 27) - Wisconsin - Ale Asylum on the north side of Madison currently has a great version of the doppelbock called Bamboozleator. It been out for just a few weeks and should remain on tap at the brewery's taproom for several more.  Complete Story

Raise a glass to Beijing's Olympic beer(March 27) - Canada - The Import Vintners & Spirits Association featured Yanjing Beer, official sponsor of the Beijing summer Games, yesterday, during an exclusive tasting at the Pan Pacific Hotel.  Complete Story

Hanami Ale (beer review) Very cherry, very scary(March 26) - Boston - Now I have no clue why I thought it would be a good idea to try Hanami Ale by the Smuttynose Brewing Company. It says right on the bottle that this beer was brewed using “cherry juice and other natural flavors”… a word to the wise, never drink a beer that has to use labeling reminiscent of a juice box.  Complete Story

Try a Maple Oat Ale(March 25) - Vermont - Peak Organic Brewing, producers of gourmet, certified organic ales of Morrisville, is collaborating with Butternut Mountain Farms, producers of local, organic maple syrup, also in Morrisville, to brew a Maple Oat Ale.  Complete Story
 
Georgia bar features personal beer taps(March 25) - MSNBC - March Madness was in full swing at the Atlanta sports bar, but fans huddled around the beer tap at their table —yes, at their table — were asking their own maddening question. Complete Story

Brewing Trouble: How to Drink Beer and Save the World(March 25) - California - Beer, like so many other products, is largely in the hands of giant corporations. Therefore, drinking beer can often enrich the same systems of power we as activists are fighting against. Fermenting Revolution: How To Drink Beer and Save the World by Christopher O’Brien  is a book about how the people can take back the brew. Complete Story

Flossmoor Station Enters the Bottled Beer Game(March 25) - Illinois - Don't those bottles look pretty? We've been in contact with Andrew Mason, brewer at Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Brewery has been keeping us abreast of some of the things that he brewmaster Matt Van Wyk has been working on since the start of the year.  Complete Story

Take a Ride Through New Belgium Brewing’s New Virtual World(March 24) - Colorado - New Belgium Brewing invites the world to experience life at the brewery with the click of a mouse. Just log on to www.newbelgium.com, jump on the animated bike and take an interactive tour.  Complete Story

Michigan brewers guild releases reformatted annual publication touting "The Great Beer State"(March 24) - Press Release - The Michigan Brewers Guild has just released “Michigan. The Great Beer State” – an annual marketing piece which spotlights the state’s microbreweries and brewpubs. The publication features a slick new look and loads of helpful information for novice and serious beer drinkers alike.  Complete Story

Friends for Life thanks Six Rivers Brewery(March 23) - Illinois - The owners of Six Rivers Brewery gave a generous 10 percent of the day’s sales to help fund FFL’s Spay/Neuter Program. This donation will help us continue providing spay and neuter services for dogs and cats of families who need financial assistance. Complete Story

New Brewery Profile - Laughing Buddha Brewing Company(March 21) - Seattle - Here's an idea for a city that excels in Asian cuisine: Start a brewery that specializes in "Asian style" beers and sell them to all the local restaurants. Brilliant! That's exactly what Laughing Buddha Brewing Company is doing. What is an Asian style beer you ask?  Complete Story

Anheuser-Busch introduces a Budweiser ale(March 21) - Missouri - Budweiser American Ale is meant to attract what A-B's marketing department calls "experimenters" -- drinkers who bounce around among various beers such as Yuengling, Fat Tire, Hoegaarden and Budweiser. Complete Story

Alabama Beer Drinkers Fight for Stronger Brews(March 21) - NPR - Seventy-five years after Congress repealed Prohibition, alcohol-related debates still flare up across the nation. In Alabama, it's illegal to drink beer with more than 6 percent alcohol. That means some of the most coveted brews in the world are off-limits. But that may soon change. Complete Story

Whitstable Brewery Oyster Stout(March 21) - Well Food Network - I was recently traveling with some friends in England, and happened to be passing through Whitstable, a seaside town well known for its oysters. In England the local beverage is often beer, and in Whitstable the local food is clearly going to be oysters. When we stopped into a beachside pub, and saw that one of their specialty ales was an “Oyster Stout” by the Whitstable Brewery, we clearly knew what to order! Complete Story
 
Portland's Hopworks brewpub is new, green and bike-friendly(March 20) - Oregon - Christian Ettinger's new beard is growing in nicely, but he'll be happy to shave Tuesday, when Hopworks Urban Brewery is scheduled to open after a 21-month gestation. When it opens, the brewpub will occupy 9,200 square feet of the former Sunset Fuel Co. building -- about half -- and will likely be Oregon's greenest and most sustainable.  Complete Story
 
Four Peaks Brewery serves up award-winning beers(March 20) - Arizona - The Four Peaks Brewing Co. is an award-winning brewery and restaurant that has been in business in Tempe for 11 years and employs more than 100 people. Four Peaks began over a decade ago brewing one keg of beer at a time but has since become Arizona's largest brewery, producing nearly 34,000 kegs each year. Complete Story
 
Heavenly bock brewed by monks(March 19) - Canada - Weltenburger Kloster Asam Bock comes from the Weltenburger brewery, which calls itself the oldest abbey brewery in the world, with brewing at the site since 1050. Complete Story

Moerlein beer tapping showcases links to the past(March 19) - Ohio - Christian Moerlein Brewing Co. will launch its latest beer with a ceremonial tapping of the first keg at Arnold's Bar and Grill downtown on Thursday. On hand to do the honors and mark the return of Barbarossa lager will be Bob Pohl, former president and CEO of Hudepohl Brewing Co.  Complete Story

Gordon Biersch founder introduces new German style ale(March 19) - California - Co-founder Dan Gordon, a UC Berkeley graduate who went on to study brewing science at Weihenstephan Technical University in Munich, Germany, and five years later, in 1987, became the first American to graduate in more than 30 years. He brews some of the most authentic lagers this side of Munich: a classic Marzen and a stunning Blonde Bock.  Complete Story

March Madness comes in a beer glass(March 18) - New York - It started with an idea two years ago — why not pay homage to the annual NCAA basketball tournament by having a tournament of our own? Our tournament would have a similar structure to the "Final Four" basketball tournament, but it would be all about beer.  Complete Story

Beer Fights Cancer(March 18) - NewsMax - Researchers are always looking for the magic bullet to kill cancer, and now they may have found it in a surprising place – a glass of beer! (Who knew?) It turns out that hops, which is the flavor component of beer, contains a cancer-fighting compound called xanthohumol.  Complete Story

Eight Healthy Reasons To Drink Beer(March 17) - Forbes - But a number of studies are showing that moderate consumption of alcohol, including beer, can have similar heart healthy effects, including making men 30 to 35% less likely to have a heart attack than those who abstain. Complete Story
 
Bronze Age burial 'with beer mug'(March 18) - UK - Canterbury Archaeological Trust said the curled-up skeleton was an example of a "Beaker" burial because of the pottery vessel placed at its feet. Education officer Marion Green said the "beautifully decorated" pot could have been "a type of beer mug". Complete Story

Top Ten Irish Pubs in the United States(March) - Its time to start planning for St. Patricks Day. Check out Boston and Savannah for great St. Patty's Day parades and great pubs.  Top Ten Irish Pubs
 
For Terrapin, happy hour has arrived(March 16) - Georgia -  In February, when Terrapin Beer Co. poured the first batch of beer made at its new brewery here, partners John Cochran and Brian "Spike" Buckowski smiled and laughed — and then they breathed a long sigh of relief.  Complete Story

Brew U: UW-Platteville may be the only college in the nation to own its own commercial brewery(March 15) - Wisconsin - At the Pioneer Haus Brew Pub, one of the nation's smallest commercial breweries, hops are measured in ounces, the brewmaster is a retired high school shop teacher and the German-made brew kettles are next to a pair of electronic dartboards.  Complete Story

Beer-tinged delights for St. Paddy's Day(March 15) - Canada - Monday is St. Patrick's Day and what better way to toast the Irish than with an all-beer menu. Beers used to be pretty much the same, with comparable strength, colour and flavour.  Complete Story

Two Beers Brewing Company(March 14) - Seattle - Despite the fact that we're in a rough financial period and the brewing industry is going through a raw material "crisis", there sure does seem to be a decent amount of interest in opening a brewery in this city.  Complete Story

St. Paddy's Day means beer and music(March 14) - Seattle - Might have been the sound of an Irish beer being opened. Or, perhaps, the sound of an Irish pub being opened — they're sprouting like urban weeds around the Seattle area. Complete Story

Guinness and St Patrick’s Day help millions celebrate Irish heritage(March 14) - St Patrick’s Day is celebrated each year on 17 March and it is a national holiday in Ireland to honor one of the country’s most famous heroes. With more than 60 million people worldwide claiming Irish ancestry including the 4.1 million citizens of Ireland St. Patrick’s Day is truly a global celebration. Complete Story
 
Duvel: A Smooth and Dangerous Ale(March 14) - Virginia - To commemorate the end of World War I, the Duvel Moortgat Brewery—founded in 1871 and located in Breendonk, Belgium—renamed their flagship beer “Victory Ale.”  Complete Story

New Warrenville brewery and tap house pour it on with food and drink(March 15) - Chicago - Two Brothers has been brewing beer in Warrenville for more than 10 years. To address their growing fan base, Jim and Jason Ebel recently moved into a new Warrenville brewery, and, with their newfound and larger digs, have opened a tap house for beer lovers and bar goers alike. Complete Story
 
Point Brewery creates Horizon Wheat ale (March 11) - Wisconsin - Point Horizon Wheat, a new hand-crafted specialty beer, has been introduced by the Stevens Point Brewery. An unfiltered American-style wheat ale, it is sold in six-packs of 12-ounce bottles and kegs in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois.  Complete Story
 
Sixpoint Craft Ales Brews "Hop Obama" Ale(March 11) - New York - Sixpoint Craft Ales today announced the release of the "Hop Obama" ale in both New York State and Massachusetts. Beginning next week, all supporters of the democratic process will be able to hoist a glass of this limited-edition beer that was brewed in tribute to the inspiration that has been Senator Barack Obama's presidential campaign. Complete Story

Tri-City Brewing to Release Loons Summer Ale(March 10) - Wisconsin - To some fans over the age of 21, no baseball game is complete without that tall cup of fermented hops and barley. Beer has been helping fans stay refreshed while enjoying America's pastime for generations.  Complete Story
 
Philadelphia makes its case as nation's best beer-drinking city(March 10) - USAToday - In fact, Philadelphia is the best beer-drinking city in America, argues Don Russell, also known as beer columnist Joe Sixpack. Complete Story

Beer battle brewing in Alabama(March 10) - UPI - Two dozen guys are crowded into a basement, talking loudly over Triscuits, when Scott Oberman breaks the law. In defiance of Alabama Criminal Code 28-4-20, he pours his buddy a beer.  Complete Story

New Glarus Brewing Co. builds 2nd brewery(March 9) - Wisconsin - New Glarus Brewing Co. is not only building a new brewery, but it also is keeping the original facility open. Both are located in the village (population: 1,290) that provides the company's name.  Complete Story
 
McConaughey to name baby after beer(March 9) - Hollywood - A source close to the actor said: "Matthew's older brother Michael named his second son Miller Lyte because he loved the beer so much. And Matthew loved the name so much he really wants to name his son after his favourite beer. He is thinking of going for Bud after Budweiser beer."  Complete Story

Best American beer bars (March 9) - MSNbc - “The quality of the craft beer available around the country is better than ever,” says Matt Brynildson, head brewer at Paso Robles, California’s Firestone Walker Fine Ales, which crafts wood-cured double ales and mad-scientist experiments. Complete Story

Missouri Lawmaker Touts 'Bud' As State's Beer(March 8) - AP - A source close to the actor said: "Matthew's older brother Michael named his second son Miller Lyte because he loved the beer so much. And Matthew loved the name so much he really wants to name his son after his favourite beer. He is thinking of going for Bud after Budweiser beer."  Complete Story
 
Beer Madness!(March 8) - Washington Post - Today we're revealing the 32 brews selected for the Sunday Source's second annual Beer Madness tournament. Did your beer make the tournament. Complete Story
 

Craft beer sales up 16% in 2007(March 5) - St. Louis - The craft beer market continues to grow as sales by independent craft brewers increased in volume by 12 percent during 2007, according to the Brewers Association. Barrels sold in 2007 totaled more than 8 million, up from 7.1 million barrels sold in 2006. Estimated sales in 2007 for craft brewers grew to more than $5.74 billion, up 16 percent from $4.95 billion in 2006. Complete Story
 
Raise a Pint with an Irish Beer Legend This St. Patrick's Day(March 5) - Ireland - On Monday, March 17, fifth generation legendary Irish brewer George Killian Lett will toast adult Americans in honor of St. Patrick’s Day from Enniscorthy, Ireland, the birthplace of the George Killian’s legend. Complete Story
 
Tampa's Cigar City Brewing Hires Award Winning Brewer(March 5) - Florida - Great American Beer Festival gold and bronze medal winner, Wayne Wambles will be the head brewer for Tampa's newest craft brewery, Cigar City Brewing. Beer writer and Tampa native, Joey Redner, founded Cigar City Brewing in October of 2007. Complete Story
 
Beer goes eco-friendly among the greenwash(March 5) - Australia - This week Australia got its first eco-beer, a new advertising campaign to promote the green credentials of natural gas, carbon-free rugby, a new eco-handbook for households and advice on how to barbecue meat with fewer greenhouse emissions. Complete Story

The Beer Geeks: Getting back to their roots(March 5) - California - People often ask how all the beer travel started. The answer is that it stemmed from my desire to be knowledgeable about beer. We were living in Oakland in the late '80s/early '90s, just when the craft beer industry was beginning to flourish. Complete Story
 
Philadelphia's beer week celebrates a sudsy heritage(March 4) - Pennsylvannia - Beer, said U.S. founding father Benjamin Franklin, is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. If so, Philadelphia ought to be America's most contented city because it is about to launch the first week-long festival to celebrate its most famous son's favorite tipple. Complete Story
 
Anheuser-Busch Launch Sun Dog Amber Wheat(March 3) - St. Louis - For the past three years, Anheuser-Busch brewmasters have brewed special batches of beer crafted to complement the changing seasons. For the first time, there's a new addition to the familiar line of favorites. Sun Dog Amber Wheat joins the seasonal beer family this spring.  Complete Story
 
Cape Cod Beer releases "Stellwagen" Stout for Charity(March 3) -ust in time for St. Patrick's Day, Cape Cod Beer has handcrafted a traditional Irish stout, which they are calling "Stellwagen Stout" - where a dollar from the sale of each new growler will go to support the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, an 842-square-mile marine protected area at the mouth of Massachusetts Bay. Complete Story
 
2008 Beer Drinker of the Year(Feb. 28) - Denver - Matt Venzke, an avid beer lover from Yorktown, Virginia, has been crowned the winner of Wynkoop Brewing Company’s 2008 Beerdrinker of the Year contest. Complete  Story
 

2008 Monthly Brew News
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